On Friday, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order to revive the National Space Council. President George H.W. Bush established the National Space Council in 1989. The Council was tasked with advising and assisting the President regarding national space policy and strategy. The Council ceased operation in 1993. This…

On Friday, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order to revive the National Space Council.

President George H.W. Bush established the National Space Council in 1989. The Council was tasked with advising and assisting the President regarding national space policy and strategy. The Council ceased operation in 1993. This Executive Order revives the Council and will reinvigorate America’s role as a leader in space, strengthen America’s economy, and advance the security of the American people.

Vice President Mike Pence introduced the President before the signing of the Executive Order. As the Chairman of the National Space Council, the Vice President will play an indispensable role in crafting America’s space policy.

The Vice President said that he was honored and enthusiastic to act as Chairman of the Council. He stated that the Administration’s commitment to space exploration will “strengthen the American spirit” and inspire the American people to “blaze new trails into the unknown”.

Watch President Trump and Vice President Pence’s remarks below.

]]>kmoore@opengovtv.com (Keith Moore)FederalThu, 29 Jun 2017 19:56:07 +0000remember-all-of-obamacares-broken-promiseshttp://opengovtv.com/index.php/blog/federal/item/6221-remember-all-of-obamacares-broken-promises
http://opengovtv.com/index.php/blog/federal/item/6221-remember-all-of-obamacares-broken-promises There were a lot of promises made in selling Obamacare—and it seems like just about all of them have been broken. They told us if you liked your doctor, you could keep your doctor . . . and yet so many Americans have lost access to their doctors under new…

There were a lot of promises made in selling Obamacare—and it seems like just about all of them have been broken.

They told us if you liked your doctor, you could keep your doctor . . . and yet so many Americans have lost access to their doctors under new Obamacare insurance plans.

They told us if you if you liked your health insurance plan, you could keep it . . . and yet millions of Americans saw their insurance plans canceled because of Obamacare.

They promised that premiums would go down by $2,500 and that everyone in America would be covered. Here’s what President Obama guaranteed back when he was on the campaign trail:

“Our conscience cannot rest so long as nearly 45 million Americans don't have health insurance and the millions more who do are going bankrupt trying to pay for it. I have made a solemn pledge that I will sign a universal health care bill into law by the end of my first term as president that will cover every American and cut the cost of a typical family's premiums by up to $2,500 a year. That's not simply a matter of policy or ideology—it's a moral commitment.”

Both those promises have been broken too.

Far from covering every American, Obamacare has left 28 million uninsured.

In fact, despite all the disruption and the billions in spending, as of February 2017 Obamacare’s exchanges cover just 10.3 million people. That’s less than half the number of Americans the Congressional Budget Office estimated back in 2012 would be enrolled.

And premiums didn’t go down by $2,500 for the average family—they went up by nearly $3,000!

We will bring new opportunity to the heartland, new prosperity to our inner cities, and new infrastructure all across our nation. When it comes to the future of America’s energy needs, we will find it, we will dream it, and we will build it. President Donald J. Trump On Thursday,…

We will bring new opportunity to the heartland, new prosperity to our inner cities, and new infrastructure all across our nation. When it comes to the future of America’s energy needs, we will find it, we will dream it, and we will build it.

President Donald J. Trump

On Thursday, President Donald J. Trump joined Energy Industry Executives, members of Congress, and Cabinet Officials at the Department of Energy to deliver remarks on unleashing America’s boundless capacity for energy production.

“We’re here today to usher in a new American energy policy,” he declared.

The President explained that he is not only focusing on “energy independence,” but also “energy dominance.”

With that goal in mind, he outlined six concrete steps his Administration is immediately taking to promote strength and innovation in America’s energy sector.

“First, we will begin to revive and expand our nuclear energy sector, which produces clean, renewable and emissions-free energy. A complete review of U.S. nuclear energy policy will help us find new ways to revitalize this crucial energy resource.

Second, the Department of the Treasury will address barriers to the financing of highly efficient overseas coal energy plants. Ukraine already tells us they need millions of metric tons right now – and we want to sell it to them, and to everyone else who needs it.

Third, my administration has just approved the construction of a new petroleum pipeline to Mexico, which will further boost American Energy Exports.

Fourth, just today, a major U.S. company, Sempra Energy, signed an agreement to begin negotiations for the sale of more American natural gas to South Korea.

Fifth, the U.S. Department of Energy is announcing today that it will approve two long-term applications to export additional natural gas from the Lake Charles LNG terminal in Louisiana.

Finally, in order to unlock more energy from the 94 percent of offshore land closed to development under the previous administration, we are creating a new offshore Oil and Gas Leasing program. America will be allowed to access the vast energy wealth located right off our shores.”

These steps will benefit the American people in numerous ways, the President explained.

Our country will no longer be vulnerable to foreign regimes that use energy as an economic weapon; American families will have access to cheaper energy, allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned dollars; and our workers will have access to more jobs and opportunities.

“And this is only the beginning,” the President said. The Golden Era of American Energy is now underway – and all of you will be a part of creating this exciting new future.”

On Wednesday, President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence welcomed the 2016 World Series Champions, the Chicago Cubs, to the White House. The team brought the Commissioner’s Trophy and participated in a meet and greet with the President. Before bringing the team in to the Oval Office, President…

On Wednesday, President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence welcomed the 2016 World Series Champions, the Chicago Cubs, to the White House. The team brought the Commissioner’s Trophy and participated in a meet and greet with the President.

Before bringing the team in to the Oval Office, President Trump made some short remarks in the Roosevelt Room, where he congratulated them on their historic World Series victory last fall.

The team gifted President Trump with a customized championship “45” jersey, as well as a “45” scoreboard panel.

On Wednesday, President Donald J. Trump hosted a tribal, State, and local energy roundtable at the White House. He was joined by Governors Paul LePage, Kim Reynolds, Pete Ricketts, and Bill Walker, along with State and tribal leaders from around our great country. President Trump stated his Administration’s intent to…

On Wednesday, President Donald J. Trump hosted a tribal, State, and local energy roundtable at the White House. He was joined by Governors Paul LePage, Kim Reynolds, Pete Ricketts, and Bill Walker, along with State and tribal leaders from around our great country.

President Trump stated his Administration’s intent to roll back harmful regulations that prevent State, local, and tribal communities from accessing vital energy resources. These regulations hinder economic growth that would create jobs and could be used to fund roads, schools, and infrastructure.

It is President Trump’s hope that the roundtable will allow for more cooperation between local governments and the Trump Administration in order to unleash America’s energy potential.

The President stated his intent to “usher in a golden age of American energy dominance.”

This week was Technology Week at the White House, and the Trump Administration held events focusing on modernizing government technology and stimulating the technology sector. On Monday, the White House invited major tech leaders and university presidents for the inaugural summit of the American Technology Council. Hosted by the White…

This week was Technology Week at the White House, and the Trump Administration held events focusing on modernizing government technology and stimulating the technology sector.

On Monday, the White House invited major tech leaders and university presidents for the inaugural summit of the American Technology Council. Hosted by the White House's Office of American Innovation, the event consisted of multiple breakout sessions to discuss ways to modernize the government by retiring out-of-date legacy systems and increasing the use of shared services.

On Tuesday, United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and Director of the National Economic Council Gary Cohn held a listening session with technology leaders to discuss tax reform in the United States and the implications of a new tax plan on the technology sector.

On Wednesday, President Trump traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He toured Kirkwood Community College and spoke about agricultural innovation and empowering the American farmer.

On Thursday, the White House hosted the American Leadership in Emerging Technology Event, where American tech industry leaders demonstrated technologies like advanced drones and 5Gwireless networks to the President.

On Friday, President Trump signed the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017.

After a successful week of addressing American innovation and meeting with leaders of the technology sector, next week the Trump Administration will turn its focus to energy.

On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, M.D., hosted a listening session at the White House with Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Seema Verma to hear from individuals who are facing a lack of choice in healthcare plans due to insurers pulling out of…

On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, M.D., hosted a listening session at the White House with Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Seema Verma to hear from individuals who are facing a lack of choice in healthcare plans due to insurers pulling out of Obamacare marketplaces.

Citizens from Ohio, Iowa, and Missouri shared real-life stories of how Obamacare has negatively impacted themselves, their families, their businesses, and their communities. These real-life examples show the extremely limited options of healthcare plans that are available, and the consequences of such high premiums and deductibles.

A small business owner from Missouri spoke of his inability to keep employees because of the advantage Obamacare gives to large corporations. An insurance agent from Missouri spoke of her guilt as she was unable to help her friends and neighbors, and was forced to deny them insurance due to the high costs. A doctor from Iowa spoke of his children, both diagnosed with a terminal disease, and his struggle as he was forced to choose between his practice and his children’s medical care.

These examples, among countless others, demonstrate the tolls Obamacare has taken on the American people. The American people are frustrated with Obamacare, and they are looking for change.

“This is about real folks; this is about real people’s lives. And the stories that we’ve heard at this table and around the country have been remarkably moving.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price

Secretary Price reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to reduce Obamacare’s burdens by providing the American people with the highest quality healthcare system.

]]>kmoore@opengovtv.com (Keith Moore)FederalWed, 21 Jun 2017 14:33:27 +0000president-trump-visits-kirkwood-community-collegehttp://opengovtv.com/index.php/blog/federal/item/6215-president-trump-visits-kirkwood-community-college
http://opengovtv.com/index.php/blog/federal/item/6215-president-trump-visits-kirkwood-community-college Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump visited Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to address his efforts to foster agriculture innovation. He spoke about the value of farming to the Nation’s economy and ensured the Administration would continuously embrace the challenge to rebuild rural America. “We have to make sure…

Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump visited Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to address his efforts to foster agriculture innovation. He spoke about the value of farming to the Nation’s economy and ensured the Administration would continuously embrace the challenge to rebuild rural America.

“We have to make sure American farmers and their families, wherever they may be, wherever they may go, have the infrastructure projects that they need to compete and grow. And I mean grow against world competition, because that's who you're up against now.”

President Trump

For the past two weeks, the Administration has been working extensively on vocational education, infrastructure, and technology. The President declared he would push for increased rural internet access in his proposed infrastructure plan.

“American farmers and ranchers are the best -- absolute best at what they do. And they can compete anywhere if they are given a level playing field.”

President Trump

Watch President Trump’s remarks:

]]>kmoore@opengovtv.com (Keith Moore)FederalWed, 21 Jun 2017 13:12:58 +0000obamacare-is-failing-the-american-peoplehttp://opengovtv.com/index.php/blog/federal/item/6214-obamacare-is-failing-the-american-people
http://opengovtv.com/index.php/blog/federal/item/6214-obamacare-is-failing-the-american-people The previous Administration sold Obamacare to the American people through a series of empty promises. Premiums were supposed to drop, but instead they have soared by nearly $3,000. Choices were supposed to multiply, but instead they disappeared, leaving one third of American counties with only one insurer in 2017. The…

The previous Administration sold Obamacare to the American people through a series of empty promises. Premiums were supposed to drop, but instead they have soared by nearly $3,000. Choices were supposed to multiply, but instead they disappeared, leaving one third of American counties with only one insurer in 2017. The public was supposed to learn to love Obamacare, but 6.5 million Americans chose to pay $3 billion in penalties to the IRS instead of buying health insurance last year.

These are the facts about Obamacare, and no one understands them better than Vice President Mike Pence. As a Congressman, he watched the Obama Administration make untenable claims about the future benefits of Obamacare. As the Governor of Indiana, he saw the failure of Obamacare unleashed on state insurance markets across the country. And as a man of integrity and compassion, he understands that the real tragedy of Obamacare is found in the personal stories of millions of hardworking Americans who have been locked out of the healthcare system, and are unable to access the care they need.

In a recent speech to the Department of Health and Human Services, Vice President Pence told the story of one of those Americans—Julie Champine from Milwaukee, Wisconsin—and reaffirmed our Administration’s continued commitment to repealing and replacing Obamacare. You can hear Julie’s story and learn more facts about the collapse of Obamacare in the video below.